What is Enteral or Tube Feeding?

Enteral feeding, or tube feeding, provides nutrition and hydration to individuals who cannot consume food or fluids orally. It is an important medical intervention that helps prevent malnutrition and supports patients during their recovery process or as part of long-term care for certain medical conditions.

With tube feeding, patients receive nutrition directly into their stomach or small intestine. Enteral feeding tubes can pass through the nose to the stomach (nasogastric, NG-tubes), nose to the small intestine (nasojejunal, NJ-tubes), or through the abdomen via a stoma into the stomach (gastrostomy, G-tube) or small intestine (jejunostomy, J-tube or GJ-tube).

Formulas & Supplies We Offer

  • Infant & Pediatric (1-12yrs) Formulas

    Enfamil A+, Similac, Gentlease, Peptamen Jr, Compleat Jr, Compleat Jr, Compleat Pediatric Organic Blends, Nutren Jr, Resource Kid Essentials 1.5, Pediasure, Pediasure Plus

  • Adult

    IsoSource, Peptamen, Ensure, Ensure Plus, Ensure Complete, Boost, Boost 1.5, Boost Soothe, Compleat 1.06, Compleat Organic Blends, Resource 2.0

  • Ketogenic & Specialty

    KetoCal 4:1, KetoVie 4:1, Beneprotien, Abbott RCF, HiFibre, Puramino, Neocate, Similac Alimentum, PolyCal, Enfamil A+ Nutramigen, Peptamen AF 1.2, Peptamen Intense 1.0 HP, NepheaKid, Nourish, Lipistart

  • Feeding Tubes & Buttons

    MIC-KEY Low-profile Buttons, AMT MiniOne Buttons; Avanos & Kangaroo gastrostomy (G-tubes); NEOMED, Med-Rx, Avanos and Kangaroo nasogastric (NG-tubes)

  • Feeding Pumps & Bags

    Kangaroo Joey, Kangaroo Connect, Enteralite Infinity; Feeding pump bag sets & Gravity feeding bags with ENFit connectors

  • ENFit Pharmacy Solutions & Syringes

    Push-in bottle adaptors, slip-to-ENFit connectors; amber, purple, sterile and non-sterile syringes ENFit and oral syringes; slip, luer-lok and catheter tip syringes; tube stabilizer, tapes and dressings

Tube Feeding Specialists

With our extensive range of tube feeding products and years of expertise in the field, we are dedicated to ensuring that every patient receives the personalized care and nutritional support they require. Whether you are a healthcare professional seeking reliable enteral nutrition supplies or a caregiver seeking guidance, we are here to provide you with top-notch products, comprehensive resources, and exceptional service.

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FAQ's About Tube Feeding

How do I take medications?

If you or your child takes several medications a day your healthcare team may suggest you take the medication through the feeding tube by syringe. Feeding tubes are designed to take liquid only. The Market Drugs Medical Compounding team can customize your medications to be taken through your feeding tube.

What is ENFit and ENFit connectors?

ENFit is a global patient-safety initiative, designed to ensure that feeding tube connectors are incompatible with the connectors for other delivery systems such as trach tubes, IV lines, and catheters. This new feeding tube equipment is designed to ensure mealtime and medication administration is as safe as possible for kids and adults who are fed through a tube. ENFit connectors use a twist-in connection rather than the friction-held legacy connectors.

Who pays for tube feeding supplies?

In Edmonton and Northern Alberta, most patients are supported by the Home Nutrition Support Program (Adult) (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?Id=7366) or Home Nutrition Support Program (Pediatric) https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?serviceAtFacilityId=1046081
Patients may also be supported by Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) for formula costs, NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits), Child Services, or private insurance plans.

What is a continuous feed? What is a bolus feed?

Continuous feeding is given slowly using a feeding pump and needs a longer period of time. Some people use a special backpack to carry their pump and feeding set with them throughout their daily activities. Some people receive their feeds overnight.
Bolus feeding is when feeds can be provided in smaller volumes throughout the day.
The type of feeding that is appropriate for you or your loved one is determined by your care team based on your medical requirements.

Are there other online resources for tube feeding?

Yes! Here are some helpful links,
MyHealth Alberta: Tube Feeding: living with a feeding tube, https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abo0957
Alberta Health Services: Pediatric Eating and Swallowing, https://peas.albertahealthservices.ca/
Canadian Patient Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition Alliance, https://cppena.cns-scn.ca/cppena-resources/online-resources

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